LBPSB HITS VERDUN SCHOOLS HARD

Even though the Board was faced with eight retirements this year, a first glance at the list seems like some changes were just for the sake of moving people around. It also gave fuel to the creedence of what many people in the know have been saying for years, that Verdun Schools make great training grounds and it’s an ok place to come from and not go to. The shockers were two Principals leaving.

At Beurling Academy, leaving will be Principal Chris Cyr, after only two years at the helm and not enough time to implement some programs or projects she might have been working on and in a lateral move becomes Principal at St. Thomas High in Pointe-Claire. Also leaving will be highly popular Senior VP Dona Bianchi, who gets a well-deserved promotion and becomes Principal at Greendale Elementary.

David Abracen, a former teacher at BA, and a VP at Lindsay Place for the last three years, will become the new Principal at BA, and Diane Lord, will be a new VP. Miss Lord is currently a Director of Academic Studies at College Ste Anne de la Pocatiere.

Over at Riverview, Principal Myriam Rabbat, who many thought would be here at least one more year to see her pet project the CLC come to reality was transferred to St. John Fisher Jr. She has been around just as long as this column has been in existence, and leaves a legacy of programs and projects which will benefit the school for many years to come, such as the CLC, the Chapters Grant, the Quebec Breakfast Club, and a new grant just announced to finance anti-bullying programs.

The highly capable Sylvie Monette, VP for both elementary schools, is also leaving us to become a high school VP at John Rennie, also a well-deserved promotion.

Coming to Riverview will be Deborah Gross, who is currently Principal at Wilder Penfield in DDO. The new VP for both schools will be Miss Sylvie Martin who is currently a teacher at Holy Cross School.

The story of the council session had to be the courageous decision of Verdun Commissioner Doug Flook of walking out of the hall before the vote and after an enlightening speech. Mr. Flook, although citing the fact that the Board continues to find excellent administrators to fill empty posts, also decried the wisdom of moving people around before the chance of finishing off what they started, and as mentioned earlier, the fact that we are a great training ground, and not keeping continuity in mind. We salute you Mr. Flook for your courage!

We extend a hearty welcome to those who will continue their careers in Verdun next school year and we are sure they know about the big shoes they will fill. We have also been granted an interview with Mr. Abracen to introduce him to the BA community.

Finally, even though, there are a few months left, I would like to thank Chris Cyr, Myriam Rabbat, Dona Bianchi, and Sylvie Monette for their wonderful cooperation through the years and letting me do my thing covering their schools. I will miss you all!